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IOC Prepares for Historic Leadership Vote in Greece

Sebastian Coe, Kirsty Coventry, and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. emerge as frontrunners in the race to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president.

The Olympic flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, 2024.
Algeria's Imane Khelif celebrates winning the 66kg welterweight final on August 9, 2024, in Paris.
Olympics - 144th IOC Session - Opening Ceremony - International Olympic Academy, Ancient Olympia, Greece - March 18, 2025 Dance performers are seen during the opening ceremony REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

Overview

  • The election for the next IOC president is set to take place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Costa Navarino, Greece, with over 100 members voting in a multi-round process.
  • Sebastian Coe, Kirsty Coventry, and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. are the leading candidates, each offering distinct visions for the future of the Olympic movement.
  • If elected, Kirsty Coventry would make history as the first woman and first African to lead the IOC, emphasizing diversity and athlete representation.
  • Sebastian Coe, backed by prominent athletes like Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, has positioned himself as a reformist focusing on athlete empowerment and modernizing governance.
  • Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., a seasoned IOC member, highlights stability and experience as key to navigating the complex geopolitical challenges facing the organization.